St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-25

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more than we had ever dreamed.
Delightful were those bright hours be-
meath the blue Italians skies, but they
were but the forerunners of the tragedy
which darkened our lives.
Will Weber had not been with US
long before l knew that he was inter
ested in either Maud or myself. l could
tell it by the CLEAN in his eye when he
joined us evenings-by his every action.
| knew that i'll his breast an affection
dwelt for one or the other of Us two.
The first week of Ou1 acquaintance
he brought letters of introduction from
prominent men in America to papa, and
seemed always to be very anxious that
we should understand that he was re-
spectacle in every way.
And this, too, strengthened the belief
I had formed concerning him,
But which was it?
Was it Maud? Was it myself? 1t
was hard to tell, and yet when remem-
bered the chances | had met from those
gray eyes my cheek burned and be-
lieved with joy that it was myself and
no other.
Cautiously approached my sister.
MIR. Weber is very attentive TO US,
Maud. | wonder which OF US 1t IS
which he admires?"
You. too. have noticed it. then?'' she
replied with a bright blush. ''Oh,
Bell Mabel, | was afraid that | might
be mistaken, and | love him so, so
dearly. Oh. sister, dear sister. life
would be nothing to me without his love;
Oh, Bel, it is such strange feeling: all
that / have read of it never has half de-
Seribed this strange delicious joy.
1t was we'll for me that she ran on IN
this way for same moments. not expect
ing any reply from me, for do not
know what l might have said to her.
Never had | absolutely known before
this moment that I loved Will Weber.
What could | do? Maud was my little
motherIess sister whom l had always
guarded so closely, and now she was my
rival.
For a moment hated her fiercely; my
heart throbbed in angry pain; could
have struck her in my blind rage mad II
not been that some restraining mana
seemed to hold me fast. What was II?
Perhaps it was the shadow OF the COM
ing event of sorrow which gave me for
titude to stand quietly looking at her
while she boosted of the sweetness OF
the affection she bore to the man whom
l felt was mine. mine alone.
As she innocently chatted on to the
sister in whom she felt she could fully
confide. my heart changed within me; l
must give him up and make no sign.
Will Weber must be nothing to me
but a brother hencef0rth and forever.
1t was agony to me, and could not
trust my voice to speak.
Bel, what makes you act so queer?
asked Maud at last. "Oh; / know now you
to you, until he has spoken to me OF MS
love. Never mind, Nine. Propriety, L
feel that it will not be long before he
speaks now"
did papa tell you we were ali going
out to Mr.. Weber's place this afternoon
and have look at papa's treasures"
Yes, he did," replied Maud; land L
have been thinking that perhaps may
be invited to be the mistress of the man
sion before we leave it"
turned away with burning pain at
my heart, and making an excuse l re-
manned in our little room. While Maud,
happy in her lOye-dream, went down TO
luncheon with papa.
Shortly after this Mr.. Weber came for
us with one of the strange little carriages
peculiar. think. to modern Rome, and
we all started out to explore MI.
Weber's Italian residence, the former
abiding place of one of the crueleSt OF
old Italian families.
The dav was delightful. Mr.. Weber
was in the brightest spirits. Maud was
gay and witty; papa was enthusiastic
over his brie-a-brac, and L alone was
silent.
Occasionally Mr.. Weber glanced
around at me as if to inquire the reason
for my quietness, but | gave him no re-
spOnSiye chances, and it was not long be-
fore we reached our destination.
The place was new to Maud and my
self. our only knowledge of it being
gained from the gentlemen's reports of
it and an occasional ride past 1t upon
our donkeys.
A closer acquaintance with itreveaied
many a feature which we had not be
fore suspected. 1t was old. very old,
and some way it brought back to me all
the weird old Italian history L had ever
read. The very air seemed suggestive
of the aSSasSin'S dagger and the terrible
crimes of the BorgiaS of old.
kept close by papa'S side when we
looked over his collection, and my eX-
perienced eye told me he that had not
been mistaken in the value of the arti-
cleS before US.
Maud and Mr.. Weber were very quiet,
and after we had examined each article
and had read the descriptive label papa
had placed upon it, they came around
to nv side and Mr.. Weber said:
Now we must all 90 over the old
house together. Miss Maud and | are
afraid that we shall meet a ghost If we
90 alone"
Papa made an excuse. rs could not
be enticed away from his treasures to
overlook empty rooms, and we then
started out together.
do you ever intend to live here, Mr..
Weber," l asked, by way of making
talk.
..;Um. no, hardly think that 1 shall.
That fancy passed away as the novelty
of the place wore off. | hardly like the
impression the place gives me"
1T seems rather gloomy, L replied.
We passed from one apartment to an
other. up, down. all over the mouldy old
white marble palace. and at length we
three paused in a little room with three
of its sides composed Offinely sculptured
marble columns connected with the
most delicate lattice work.
My Lady's bower" cried Maud,
gayly fitting about the room. What
lovely place"
Mr.. Weber did not reply. [ felt that
his eyes were fixed upon my face. L
turned away from him and was going
over to Maud's side when she exclaimed
in half-frightened voice:
"Oh, oh. Mr.. Weber, look here. See
what | have done"
Mr.. Weber was at her side instantly,
and after mOmentary examination
said:
You have touched a spring to a secret
drawer. Miss Maud. and been fortunate
enough to discover what we have never
seen before"
1t was as he said. One of the white
marble blocks had moved forward from
its place in the side of the wall ana we
saw that it was followed out into the
sembIance of a drawer.
At first it seemed to be empty, but
Mr.. WebSter's gray eyes had discovered